Google turns apps into ‘channels’ with Android TV revamp

Google is to offer a new and improved Android TV as part of its efforts to revamp its platform as part of its Android O upgrade. The new version of the platform will comprise of a channel-like home screen, compiling content from various apps and using Google assistant to enable navigation. According to Paul Saxman, Android devices and media developers lead, video content on the home screen is sorted into channels and programmes in a manner that TV viewers are accustomed to.

Android apps would publish multiple channels represented as rows of programmes on the home screen. Each channel will consist of relevant programmes that can be added by individual apps and will be updated whenever new content is available or it will be dynamically updated when users access content on the channels. Within the channel, there will be a display of programmes that will include a video previous which plays automatically when users focus on specific programmes.

Personalized selections of channels and the order in which they appear can be displayed on the home screen. Some other interesting features displayed on the home screen include a quick launch bar for favorite apps and a channel that displays shows matching the user’s viewing habits. Read More